Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Barbara L. Wilson letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding bird breeding report, August 1, 1982	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1982-08-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird breeding report was contributed by Barbara L. Wilson in a letter to Thomas H. Kent. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Bittern Alder Flycatcher American Wigeon Sedge Wren Lesser Scaup	Mills County Willow Slough Dam				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	4
John C. Robinson letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding field report, August 1, 1982	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1982-08-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter and field report was contributed by John C. Robinson in a letter to Thomas H. Kent. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Great Gray Owl Common Raven Connecticut Warbler	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-29	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on July 29, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent.	McMahon, Jeri	Black-headed Grosbeak	Decorah	Trout River, near Decorah		A letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The female rose-breasted grosbeak, plus juveniles, were also present that day, so I could compare the 2 species very well. It was not an im. male rose-breasted, although I saw several of those.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
R. Craig Hensley letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding field reports , July 28, 1982	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1982-07-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field reports for fall and winter 1981 and spring 1982 were contributed by R. Craig Hensley with a letter to Thomas H. Kent. He mentions unusual sightings of a Bald Eagle, Red-headed Woodpecker and Common Redpoll. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Red-headed Woodpecker Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Eared Grebe Common Redpoll White-winged Scoter Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hooded Warbler	Hitchcock Nature Area Lake Anita State Park Cass County Pellet Memorial Woods State Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Little Swan Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-14	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Little Swan Lake in Dickinson County, IA on July 14, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Christopherson Slough / Little Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Woods, N. edge Little Swan Lake, Dickinson Co., Iowa (near Superior)	General: woodlands near lakeshore. Specific: bare branch understory of plum thicket (deep shade), at edge of planting of 25 ft. Austrian pines and black walnut trees.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted grosbeak (female)--little or no yellow-tan color to breast & more heavily spotted or streaked. Blue Grosbeak (female)--a more uniform, unstreaked brown or tan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:22:00/13:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Ottumwa, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on June 26, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a field report, a letter from Don Johnson to Tom Kent, and a draft of the field report.	Johnson, Donald G.	House Finch	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Iowa		The field report by Don Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Elaine Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Poorwill at Waubonsie State Park, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Poorwill at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on June 22, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Jean B. Braley to Tom Kent, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Braley, Jean B.	Common Poorwill	Waubonsie State Park	Fremont County, IA., 2 1/2 miles nort of NW corner Waubonsie St. Park	Open field bounded by wooded hills, small stream	The documentation form by Jean B. Braley is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ruth Phipps and Betty Walters were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Beth Vaughn, Barbara Cunningham, John McNeilly, and Doris McNeilly. \| Elimination of similar species: Call differs from that of Whip poor will (heard in rear by area same evening) and that of Chuck Will's widow, recorded regularly in recent years at Waubonsie Park University. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	20
Field report contributed by Ronald Harms with a letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding a bird identification, July 8, 1982	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1982-06-01	1982-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report contributed by Ronald Harms about bird sightings. In his letter he is asking Thomas H. Kent's opinion on the identification of a species as a female Northern Oriole or hybrid of "Bullocks." This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 1982.	Harms, Ronald	Cedar Waxwing Loggerhead Shrike Bullock's Oriole Merlin Lark Sparrow Baltimore Oriole	Laurens Pocahontas County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-20	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on May 20, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Ann Sernett to Thomas Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Black-headed Grosbeak	Rush Lake	South side Rush Lake, Palo Alto Co. and Mable [sic] Grous grove, Pocahontas Co.	Open woods	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Ann Luther, Mabel Grous, Ken Sernett and Ann Sernett. \| Elimination of similar species: there were many [female symbol] Rose-brested [sic] around to compare.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods in Iowa County, IA on May 10, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Black-headed Grosbeak	Amana Woods	Amana Woods	Deciduous woods. Trail through woods along ridge.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt and Carl Bendorf. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, e-mail correspondence between Jon Dunn, Jim Fuller, James Rising, David Sibley, and Paul Lehman, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Bullock's Oriole	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, Iowa - Black Hawk County	coming to feeder in residential area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Don Irwin and Paulina Irwin. \| Elimination of similar species: The 'Baltimore' subspecies has the yellow-orange on breast going down the breast thru belly and has a more yellowish back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel regarding the Iowa Birdline, December 17, 1981	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel announcing that the Iowa Birdline is now in operation. The letter includes directions on how to use the Iowa Birdline. This letter was sent to Hank Zaletel in advance of sending a letter to all members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-10	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1981 recorded incorrectly as 1982 on the documentation form. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Above and below Saylorville Dam	Open water, rocky shore and ice covered pond.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly the same size as an immature Herring Gull, but neck seemed thinner, head smaller. Bill was same length as a Herring Gull's but was blunter, not as strongly hooked. [...] The primaries were not nearly as dark as immature (1st year) or 2nd year Herring Gulls and was of a much different color than the black color of that species. Primaries and tail were nearly the same color. [...] In flight this bird could be easily picked out from the immature Herring Gulls at considerable distances. Using 7x35 binoculars the beige color of the upper surface of wings and translucent underwing could be detected as far as three-quarters of a mile. There were also three other birds that resembled this particular bird though they appeared darker on the upperparts. However I was unable to get close observations of these birds. The bird I observed closely and documented had one primary feather missing and aided in tracking the bird from day to day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-06	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Res. Dam, Johnson Co., Iowa	Reservoir just above dam on ice	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent as dictated to Carl Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: imm. Herring Gull. The second year Herring has a light bill with black tip and more contrasting black and white pattern to wings and tail. The first year Herring is much darker, has a more bulbous, hooked bill, and lacks the definitewhite [sic] window in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-05	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 5, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Thayer's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa		The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than adult Herring Gull (winter plumage, red spot end of lower mandible) beside it, legs a little pinker. Larger than Ring-billed Gulls- flock of 14 adjacent. [...] Headmuch [sic] smaller relative to body than in the Herring Gull- also flatter-appearing. [...] 1. Bill was black (or very dark); this , combined with the rather pale underparts relative to the rest of the (also rather pale) plumage tends to rule out a first year Herring Gull. 2. Bill and head size and shape were not as heavy-appearing as in Herring Gull. Direct comparison with adjacent adult Herring Gull was very useful in deciding this. [...] 5. Size and pinker legs than Herring Gull are not sure characters, but lend support to identification as Thayer's Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Bill Heusinkveld and Marjorie Heusinkveld letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding field notes, December 3, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Ornithology--Methodology	1981-12-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes were contributed by Bill Heusinkveld and Marjorie Heusinkveld in a letter to Thomas H. Kent. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1981.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie Heusinkveld, Bill	Double-crested Cormorant Snow Bunting Short-eared Owl Pine Siskin Bar-headed Goose Ruddy Shelduck	Rathbun Lake Rice Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	1
Letter to members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union announcing the Iowa Birdline is now in operation, December 1981	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science	1981-12-01	1981-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter to members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union announcing the Iowa Birdline is now in operation. A handwritten note by Richard Jule Hollis at the bottom of letter thanks Hank Zaletel for all his help.	Bendorf, Carl J. Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Darwin Koenig letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding field notes, December 1, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1981-12-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes were contributed by Darwin Koenig in a letter to Thomas H. Kent. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1981.		Double-crested Cormorant Horned Grebe White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Long-tailed Duck Common Loon Golden Eagle	Allamakee County New Albin Montezuma				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-11-08	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Reservoir	Open wate [sic] near small sandy beach near the Dam area, Johnson County	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Tom Staudt, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull, see above. The Ring-billed Gulls were seen in direct contrast to these three birds and were definitely much smaller birds. The Herring Gulls (first year birds) that I have seen have more of a contrast between the rump and back and upper wing surfaces and none that I remember showed the whitish trailing edge on the tail. [...] The three birds seen were about the size of Herring Gulls in typical first year plumage. They were obviously large gulls of the genus Larus with a noticeably larger size than the Ring-billed Gulls and one Bonaparte's Gull that were next to the three larger birds. [...] There were no Herring Gulls nearby with which to make a comparison of size and coloration. The bills of all three gulls were black did not seem as heavy or bulky as the bill of a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-11-07	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 7, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Res. Dam, west overlook, Johnson Co. Iowa	Reservoir, just above dam, in water and on swimming beach	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Mike Newlon, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Photographs taken at the first encounter with a Celestron 750 mm lens demonstrate the size difference, the bill and head shape difference, the lighter overall color, and the window in the wing. An adult Herring was in the photo with the Thayer's on 7 Nov and imm Herring were photographed on 10 Nov for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:50:00 and 11:00:00/11:20:00 on November 7, 1981 and 07:30:00/08:30:00 on November 8, 1981.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-10-08	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Black Hawk County, IA on October 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a letter from Bob Myers to Tom Kent, a letter from Francis Moore to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Western Tanager	Hope Martin Memorial Park	Hope Martin Park, Waterloo, Ia. (Part of Waterloo Greenbelt)	Riverbottom Timber on edge of park - brushy area First seen in top of willow thicket, then flew to top of oak in the park.	The documentation form by Robert Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall scarlet tanager is possible - see attached page. My first thought was that this was late for a scarlet Tanager and when I looked closer I saw the wing bars. My second thought was that someone told me that one of a hunderd [sic] ♀ scarlets have wing bars. I also knew the Peterson Guide says some scarlets have two wing bars. When I went home that night I was anything but convinced the bird was a western tanager even though most literature states wing bars = western tanager. When I got home I phoned Fancis Moore and he went to the park and was able to relocate the bird. Even though he had never seen western tanagers before, Francis thought this was one. His enthusiasm prompted me to research further. I am now also convinced that this bird was indeed a western tanager no matter how unlikely it seems. Ironically, my first western tanager, a male seen April 26, 1980 at Forney Lake, was also with a mixed flock of yellow-rump + palm warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Letter to Iowa Ornithologists' Union members regarding an Iowa Birdline	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science	1981-09-01	1981-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter to Iowa Ornithologists' Union members regarding a working proposal for an Iowa Birdline (phoneline). The letter includes a survey to gather information in order to set up the Birdline.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Peter C. Petersen letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding summer bird sightings, August 4, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1981-08-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Peter C. Petersen to Thomas H. Kent regarding summer bird sightings, August 4, 1981. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 1981.	Petersen, Peter C.	American Kestrel Upland Sandpiper Least Flycatcher Chimney Swift Snowy Egret Dickcissel Pileated Woodpecker Mourning Dove Horned Lark Mallard Common Starling	Davenport Lock and Dam 15 Cedar County Clinton County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	8
John Van Dyk letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding no summer bird sightings, August 2, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1981-08-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from John Van Dyk to Thomas H. Kent regarding no summer bird sightings, August 2, 1981. A request to devote additional effort into locating the Smith's Longspur in Iowa is included. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 1981.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Smith's Longspur	Sioux Center				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	8
Field notes contributed by James J. Dinsmore with a letter and verifying documentation, fall 1982	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Habitat Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1981-08-01	1981-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes were contributed by James J. Dinsmore and other observers. A letter from Richard Sojda to James J. Dinsmore regarding the sighting of a Least Tern and verifying documentation of an extraordinary sighting of a Prairie Falcon contributed by Erwin E. Klaas are included. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1982.	Dinsmore, James J. Klaas, Erwin E Sojda, Richard	Cooper's Hawk Prairie Falcon Pied-billed Grebe Long-tailed Duck Western Grebe Least Tern Common Loon	Little Wall Lake Ames Clear Lake DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge California Bend State Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	20	1